Italian Citizenship Referendum: Everything You Need to Know
To participate in Italy's forthcoming citizenship referendum, follow these steps:
With a significant national referendum approaching, Italian citizens are invited to cast their vote on changes to the naturalization process. Below, we outline everything you need to know about the upcoming vote.
Overview
Set for June 8th and 9th, the referendum proposes to expedite the path to citizenship for non-EU adults dwelling in Italy, by shortening the residency prerequisite from a decade to five years. In order for the referendum to be valid, turnout exceeding 50% of eligible Italian voters is required.
Voting Locations and Dates
Polling stations will be open from 7 am to 11 pm on Sunday, June 8th, and from 7 am to 3 pm on Monday, June 9th. To vote in person, you will need your electoral card; without this, entrance to the voting booth will be denied.
Your electoral card typically gets mailed to your home address when you turn 18. If you haven't received it or if it's been lost or damaged, you should reach out to your local town hall (comune) for a replacement. The card will provide your designated polling station address and registration number.
Casting Your Vote
You will receive five separate ballot papers at the same time, each with a distinct color and numbered one to five. The ballot slip relevant to the citizenship referendum (N.5, in yellow) will state the exact question being posed: "Italian citizenship: Halving from 10 to 5 years the period of legal residence in Italy for non-EU citizens who have reached the age of majority to apply for Italian citizenship." Simply mark either "Sì" (Yes) or "No" in the designated boxes to express your preference.
Voting by Mail
Italians who have registered to vote from abroad by post should receive their ballot papers by May 21st. The papers will be sent in an envelope, containing instructions on how to return them to the relevant Italian consulate. Voted ballots must be sent back by local time on June 5th at the latest.
Ballot papers received after this deadline will not be accepted as consulates will have already started sending the ballots to Italy for counting.
For More Information
For the latest updates, details, and practical advice regarding the Italian citizenship referendum, please visit our dedicated section.
This referendum presents an opportunity for Italian citizens – both at home and abroad – to participate directly in shaping the acquisition process for non-EU adults seeking Italian citizenship.
- The Italian citizenship referendum, occurring on June 8th and 9th, proposal changes to the naturalization process that will expedite the path to citizenship, shortening the residency prerequisite from a decade to five years.
- For the referendum to be valid, over 50% of eligible Italian voters must turn out to vote.
- Non-EU adults dwelling in Italy will potentially benefit from EU policies, if the referendum passes.
- Italians voting in person will be using ballot papers, with the relevant one being number 5 (yellow) that reads, "Italian citizenship: Halving from 10 to 5 years the period of legal residence in Italy for non-EU citizens who have reached the age of majority to apply for Italian citizenship".
- Foreign citizens who are already Italian residents may be interested in the latest updates and practical advice on the referendum, which can be found in the dedicated section of certain news sources.
